"To counter the risk of the impoverishment of IT because of the practices of some large world actors, it is important that we propose that our European partners adopt the principle of interoperability as regards data processing, to guarantee the development — even, in certain sectors, the survival — of the European IT industry," said Carayon. "The Open Document Format would encourage "freedom of choice and a better quality of product", in "an environment favourable to free, undistorted competition", Carayon said.